Archbishop of Uganda Responds to Archbishop of Canterbury on Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023

Posted on June 10, 2023 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Culture wars Comments Off on Archbishop of Uganda Responds to Archbishop of Canterbury on Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023

The Archbishop of Uganda has responded to this statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury, released yesterday –

“The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, released the following statement in response to the public letter to him from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Archbishop Justin Welby, the Primate of All England, has every right to form his opinions about matters around the world that he knows little about firsthand, and that is what he has done in his recent statement about the Church of Uganda’s widely held support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. Our support has been made very clear by our earlier statement, so it does not require repeating.

He and many other Western leaders seem to think that the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 criminalizes homosexuality. It does not. Homosexuality was already criminalized; it simply reaffirms what was already in the colonial-era penal code, including a maximum sentence of the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality (which the Church of Uganda opposed).

Even if the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 was not signed into law, homosexuality would remain criminalized in Uganda, as it is in more than one-third of the world’s countries. Even if the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 is overturned by the Supreme Court, homosexuality will remain criminalized in Uganda. What is new is specifically outlawing the promotion of homosexuality and same-sex relationships as a moral alternative to God’s natural design for marriage between one man and one woman.

We wonder if Archbishop Justin Welby has written to encourage the Anglican Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf to publicly advocate for decriminalizing homosexuality in the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East? Why are African countries like Ghana and Uganda singled out for such virtue signaling?

Sadly, as we stated – together with leaders of 85% of the Anglican Communion – in the Kigali Commitment of Gafcon IV in April 2023, we “can no longer recognise the Archbishop of Canterbury as an Instrument of Communion, the ‘first among equals’ of the Primates. The Church of England has chosen to impair her relationship with the orthodox provinces in the Communion.” We do pray for him and other leaders in the Church of England to repent.

The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.”

Photos: Archbishop of Canterbury and Church of Uganda websites.

‘Parents fight back after principals told to sign statement opposing same-sex marriage’

Posted on June 10, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on ‘Parents fight back after principals told to sign statement opposing same-sex marriage’

“Parents at a major regional Anglican school are fighting back against a controversial requirement that their new principal and board members sign a document stating they believe marriage is just between a man and a woman.

Frustrated parents at The Illawarra Grammar School have formed a group to oppose the rule which will force incoming heads of Sydney Anglican diocese-run schools to sign a statement of faith opposing gay marriage. …”

– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Image: First Anglican school in New South Wales.

Moore PTC 2023 Graduation Celebrates God’s Work

Posted on June 9, 2023 
Filed under Encouragement, People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Moore PTC 2023 Graduation Celebrates God’s Work

“On the evening of Friday, 26th May 2023, Moore Theological College held its graduation for the Moore PTC.  

The Preliminary Theological Certificate is our long-standing non-accredited course designed to help people from all backgrounds grow in their love and knowledge of God and his word.

The live event, which was also livestreamed, celebrated the successful conclusion of three different levels of PTC studies for 68 graduands and showcased the benefits of studying the Moore PTC for people of many ages and stages of life. …”

– Encouraging report from Moore College.

Church of England Evangelical Council holds ‘resistance’ meetings over same-sex blessings

Posted on June 9, 2023 
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Church of England Evangelical Council holds ‘resistance’ meetings over same-sex blessings

“The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is planning to hold ‘large-scale meetings’ in June, but only for those who have signed up to “resist” moves to bless same-sex couples in church. …

The invitation says that the meetings — at All Souls’, Langham Place, in London, on 17 June, and at Holy Trinity, Platt, in Manchester, on 19 June — are ‘being held in order to take counsel together regarding the proposals around the Prayers of Love and Faith, and to hear the wisdom of voices from around the Anglican Communion’. …”

– Story from Church Times. (Link via Anglican Mainstream.)

Please pray for 2023 Presbyters

Posted on June 9, 2023 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Please pray for 2023 Presbyters

“The ordering of Presbyters will take place on Tuesday 27 June 2023 at 7pm in St Andrew’s Cathedral.

Please pray for those to be ordained.”

– List of candidates at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Government Takeover Scandal

Posted on June 9, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Government Takeover Scandal

In her latest video, the Australian Christian Lobby’s Wendy Francis discusses the alarming takeover attempt of the Catholic Calvary Hospital in Canberra.

The Fall of Canterbury

Posted on June 8, 2023 
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on The Fall of Canterbury

“The Kigali Commitment recognizes that Archbishop Welby has abandoned his office and that Instruments of Communion have failed to uphold essential doctrine regarding human sexuality, thereby undermining their very purpose. Those signing the Commitment no longer recognize the authority of the existing Communion structures. The Commitment empowers GAFCON and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches to establish new structures for orthodox Anglicans wherever they are. …”

– At First Things, Matt and Anne Kennedy share their thoughts on GAFCON IV.

Image: At GAFCON Jerusalem in 2018, Russell Powell (left) interviews the Kennedys. (Well worth watching.)

What is the gospel? — Dr Mark Thompson

Posted on June 7, 2023 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on What is the gospel? — Dr Mark Thompson

“I remember, more than twenty years ago now, an international visitor to Sydney being asked this question.

Throughout the week that he had been here, the speaker had appealed to the gospel many times. Clearly in a part of the world well-known for the strength of its evangelical witness, such an appeal was essential if he was to get a hearing. But the appeal had not been convincing and it had become increasingly obvious that at this most basic level our guest had a very different idea of what exactly it was that he was appealing to repeatedly throughout the week.

So some brave soul — someone braver than me — publicly asked him the question. What is the gospel? …”

– Back in 2015 we published this very helpful article by Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College.

Quebec funeral home charging $700 for doctor-assisted suicide services

Posted on June 7, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Quebec funeral home charging $700 for doctor-assisted suicide services

“A Quebec funeral home is renting out a private room for people to partake in doctor-assisted suicide – at a minimum cost of $700.

The cost is not for the euthanasia procedure, which is covered by Quebec’s medical insurance, but for the dedicated space featuring couches, candles, plants and artworks. Patients come to the home with their physician.

The funeral home’s new offering comes amid euthanasia deaths exploding in the province, going from 63 in 2015-2016 to 3663 in 2021-2022.

The funeral home takes charge of handling the deceased body, noting that it has necessary installations on site…”

– Report from True North (Canada).

Image: A St Helen’s Bishopsgate video.

Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter — Pentecost 2023 edition

Posted on June 6, 2023 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter — Pentecost 2023 edition

Here’s the latest Bathurst Diocese newsletter from Bishop Mark Calder — for your encouragement and to inform your prayers.

Download the PDF file here.

In the last 12 months 35% of Australian Ministers considered quitting

Posted on June 5, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Resources Comments Off on In the last 12 months 35% of Australian Ministers considered quitting

“A little under 200 clergy took part in the survey and, while they work across the country, they were predominantly in NSW, married and male, with an average of 18½ years in ministry. More than 60 per cent of the respondents were senior ministers…

A senior consultant at the Centre for Ministry Development, Peter Mayrick, who gets alongside clergy to support them in their ministry, says that the issues of stress and burnout are ‘very real… and something we have to deal with’. …”

– Story by Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Two exciting projects from Discipleship Tech

Posted on June 5, 2023 
Filed under Encouragement, Good News, Resources Comments Off on Two exciting projects from Discipleship Tech

Recently Andy Geers shared updates on two exciting updates from Discipleship Tech, the team behind PrayerMate.

• An update of Redeeming the Time.

• Crowdfunding for The Serpent & The Seed, “a mobile adventure game designed to help people, who would never normally open the Bible, to engage with the big story of salvation and our place within it.”

Good to pray about (and financially support, if you are able)!

Pastor: Help your Congregation navigate Gay Pride Month

Posted on June 3, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Pastor: Help your Congregation navigate Gay Pride Month

From Jonathan Leeman at 9Marks:

“…pastor, consider how you might equip your church members to stand in truth and love during this month. As the neo-paganism of LGBTQ+ increasingly defines our nation’s public religion, more of our members will be taking it on the jaw at school and work. We should prepare them for these occasions if nothing else than by setting the example of speaking publicly ourselves.”

– Read at 9Marks.

ACL 2023 Annual General Meeting reminder

Posted on June 3, 2023 
Filed under Announcement Comments Off on ACL 2023 Annual General Meeting reminder

For ACL members, a reminder:

The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Anglican Church League, previously advised, is on Thursday 8th June, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

Venue: St Andrew’s Cathedral School, 474 Kent Street, Sydney 2000 (enter via Foyer located on Sydney Square), Level 4, The Community Hub.

Speakers:

The agenda for the meeting, including positions to be filled by election, is available here (PDF).

If you need to renew your membership, you can do so at this link.

South Carolina Supreme Court issues final ruling on disputed churches

Posted on June 2, 2023 
Filed under TEC Comments Off on South Carolina Supreme Court issues final ruling on disputed churches

“Two of South Carolina’s oldest church buildings will not be returned to the Episcopal Church in the United States, but will stay with the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, a court has ruled. One other church will be returned to the Episcopal Diocese. …”

– Story from Church Times.

The photo of now-retired Bishop Mark Lawrence from 2010 gives an idea of how long this has been running. (Mostly) related posts.

In 2018 at GAFCON 3 in Jerusalem, Dominic Steele spoke with Dr Kendall Harmon about what was happening in South Carolina at the time. Starts 2:15 into this clip.

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